Zhan Beiwang sighed in relief but still said coldly, "This is something I earned with my military achievements. If His Majesty truly retracted the decree, it would dishearten the soldiers. Yet today, His Majesty summoned me only to not see me. I suspect it's because you complained about feeling wronged. Song Xixi, I won't hold it against you, but I have been as kind and just to you as I can be."
"I hope you can behave yourself and stop causing trouble. After Yi Fang and I get married, I will ensure you have your own child, and your future will be secure."
Song Xixi lowered her eyes and instructed calmly, "Baozhu, see the guest out!"
Baozhu stepped forward, "General, please leave!"
Zhan Beiwang flicked his sleeves and left.
Before Song Xixi could say anything, Baozhu's tears started falling like broken beads.
Song Xixi walked over to comfort her, "What's wrong now?"
"Feeling injustice for you. Don't you feel wronged, Miss?" Baozhu asked with a heavy nasal tone.
Song Xixi smiled, "Of course I feel wronged, but what can crying solve? It's better to think about our future and how to make our lives better. There are no weaklings in the Song family."
Baozhu wiped her tears with a handkerchief, her mouth pouting like a duck, "Why does everyone bully you? You've always been so good to the people of the General's residence."
"Because in their eyes, I'm not important now," Song Xixi said with a smile. She wasn't important from the beginning; what mattered was the dowry she brought.
Baozhu's tears fell even harder because, in her eyes, her miss was the most important. "Alright, stop crying. Go back to your tasks. We have to live our lives," Song Xixi said, gently pinching her cheek. "Off you go!"
"Miss," Baozhu wiped her tears hard, "when you leave, will you take everyone who came with you?"
"Their indentures are with me. Once I leave, Yi Fang won't treat them well, so it's best they come with me."
When she got married, her mother had sent along Mammy Liang and Mammy Huang, as well as four servants and four maids. Because the old lady had been seriously ill for the past year, she managed the General's residence herself. So, those who came with her held prominent positions in the residence. This was partly because the General's residence was understaffed, given that neither her father-in-law nor Zhan Beiwang's salary was high, and they didn't have any other means of income. So, the residence couldn't support many people.
Secondly, she also considered that using her own people would require less effort, avoiding the need to establish authority to manage them effectively. With the old lady's poor health, she could spare more time to care for her. As for her dowry, it had supplemented the household significantly. The old lady's medicine was expensive, and the household could hardly sustain itself.
But fortunately, it was only the profits from shops and rental income from properties, plus some harvests from fields and estates.
The next day, Song Xixi went to take care of the old lady as usual, but today she went because Doctor Dan had arrived.
Seeing her, the old lady, thinking she had come to terms with the situation, felt gratified. "Yi Fang will come later. You two should meet. From now on, you'll be sisters and should live harmoniously."
Song Xixi didn't respond, just waited for Doctor Dan. After he prescribed the medicine, Song Xixi said, "Uncle Dan, let me see you out."
"Hmm, I happen to have a few words for you," Doctor Dan said, having his assistant carry the medicine chest. He didn't even say a word to the old lady, just left with Song Xixi.
Walking along the corridor, Doctor Dan said, "Silly girl, this family has no kind hearts. They don't deserve your goodness. From now on, you needn't send anyone to fetch me. I won't come again."
Song Xixi said, "Uncle Dan, I understand. I won't ask you to come anymore. I have decided to seek a divorce."
Doctor Dan finally laughed, "Good girl, that's the decisiveness a daughter of the Song family should have. I don't need their money. If it weren't for your sake, I wouldn't have treated her."
Doctor Dan had seen many people; the old lady was clearly a greedy one.